Projectile.



R. L. SCOVILLE.

PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. I. 1915.

Patented Oct; 31,1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET I mwwss.

INVENTOR WITNESSES R. L. SCOVILLE.

PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1. 1915.

1,203,058. Patented 001. 31,1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- INVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROYAL SCOVILLE, OI SEWIGKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA. I

rnomc'rnm.

Specification of Letters Patent.

1 Patented 0011.31, 1916.

Application filed November 1, 1915. Serial No. 59 ,013. I

applicable to those projectiles which are commonly known as grenades, and I shall show and describe my invent-ion in such application. M

In the accompanying drawings which form art of this specification, Figure 1 shows 1n end elevation a grenade having my invention applied to-it; Fig. 2 shows the same structure partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, the plane of section being indicated at I-III, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section, the plane of section being indicated by the line 111 111, Fig. 4; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal middle section, the plane, of section beingat right angles to the plane on which Fig. 2 is taken; Fig. 5 is a view. in transverse sec-.

tion on the line VV, Fig. 4; Figs. 6 and 7 are views on larger scale corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2 of a grenade showing the invention in modification. This grenade consists essentially of a casing 1, a block 2, and a cover plate ,3,'and these three components Ishall describe in detail and one after another.

Giving attention first vto the casing .1, it is, as is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4, a casing which has formed within it an open-ended chamber. for receiving and containing a body of highv explosive. .As the drawings indicate, the walls of the casing nay be scored with grooves or otherwise incompletely subdivided, to the end that on explosion the grenade walls will be ruptured into independentlyfiying missiles 'of-;predetermined size and shape. This matter of the particular formation of the Walls of the casing is however well known and has nothing to do with my present invention.

"The block 2 closes, as will be s e'enon conended capsu e.

sidering Figs. 2 and 4, the otherwise open end of the chamber within the casing 1.,

It will be observed of this block 2 (comparing with Fi s. 2 and 4 the sectional views 3 and 5) that it is of a general cylindrical form and that it slips into a rabbeted seat formed for it in the mouth of the burstercharge chamber; and I .here call atention to the fact that the block 2 is removable and replaceable, and may be inverted and introduced in either one of its two possible positions. On one side this block is providedwith a seat 4 for apercussion cap 0' and on'65 the other side it is provided with a seat 5" for a detonator. This detonator seat issO. arranged and disposed that on detonation the explosion of the burster charge will ensue. The burster charge will preferably 7.0

be a body ofhigh explosive of such-relatively inert material as trinitrotoluene, for example (commonly indlcated by the arbitrary symbol TNT), and the detonator,

whose function it is to detonate on ignition,

will ordinarily bea body of, or containing, fulminate of mercury, included in an open K A small body of fuhninate of mercury arranged for detonation immediately adjacent .the larger body of TNT so will not, with s fcient-certainty, effect a detonation of first magnitude of the burster charge; and, therefore, there is ordinarlly required to be associated with the detonator for intermediate? action a body (commonly- 5 spoken of as-the" booster charge) of such high explosives as, for example, picric acid, which on the detonation of the fulminate will itself be detonated and will impart detonation tothe charge of TNT and cause 90.

in ita fidetoniitionof first magnitude. On consideration of these things, and also of the character of the material involved, ,I find it convenient to form in block, 2, (and on the side opposite the percussion-cap seat) 5 a recess, and in the recess to mold a bodyof booster material and to form in this molded body the desired seat for the detonator. In such, way I provide a simple structure, and I have the essential elements of. the train of detonationdetonator',"

booster, and burster-chargein proper and 7 effective juxtaposition. The drawlngs show [a cylindrical. recess (lts {Igor is indicated at .6) formed in one face of the cylindrical block 2, and in this recess is molded a body 6 of booster material (such as picric acid), having formed in it a detonator seat 5. When this body of booster material is to be molded in the recess in block 2, I introduce into the recess and through an opening 7 formed in the side wall of the block a mandrel, around which the booster material may be shaped. After the body of,

booster material has been shaped, the mandrel will be withdrawn and the space will remain and will form the seat for the detonator which is to be introduced. As shown, this detonator. seat is slightly enlarged by a rabbeted offset at the end adjacent the opening 7 through the metal wall of the recess 6; this offset being provided as a meretonvenience, to insure tlrat a correspondlngly headed detonator capsule when introduced shall be in proper position with its open end inward, that it may function in desired manner. Proper means are provided for communicating ignition from the percussion cap when exploded upon the percussion-cap seat 4 to the detonator when introduced in the deton-ator seat 5, and this means includes a time fuse f whose disposition and arrangement will be understood on comparing Figs. 2 and 3. The time fuse isan elongate body of slow burning material laid in a proper channel or seat, and in this case it lies in a circular groove formed in the same face of the block 2 with the percussion-cap seat 4. At or substantially at one end, this elongate slow burning body f is brought into ignitionimparting communication with the percussion cap; and this may be effected by means of such a canal as is indicated at 9, extending from the cap seat to the duct or groove in which the body flies. At or substantially at its other end, this time fuse extends through an opening 10 into the recess on the opposite side of the block 2 and through the body of booster material 'molded in that recess, and its end e is so disposed that ignition will be imparted from it directly to the open end of the detonator capsule when introduced into the detonator seat 5. I may here remark, parenthetically, that, in order to insure such an arrangement of the end a of the time fuse, the-mandrel, around which the body of picric acid or like material is molded (in the manner described) within the recess 6, is preferably made with a recessed end, into which the end 6 of the previously located time fuse will protrude when the mandrel has been introduced and before the pic'- ric acid or like material has been molded around it." And, further, the mandrel may be wrapped with paper preparatory to the molding operation and the protruding end of ,the rolled on paper may form the reis to say, in five seconds.

may of course be removable and replaceable cessed end of the mandrel. When the mandrel so prepared, has been introduced and so arranged with respect to the otherwise seat 5 will consist of the paper wrapping which preliminarily surrounded the mandrel.

This grenade is intended for use either to be thrown by hand or by catapult/or such like means, and accordingly it is desirable that the length of time of the burning of the fuse may be changeable, to suit conditions of service. Accordingly another duct 12 is formed, extending from the seat 4 for the percussion cap to the body f at some intermediate point in its extent; and a removable cut-ofl, such as the screw pin 13, is provided, which, when in proper position, obstructs and renders ineffective the canal 12. Of course the canal 12 when open serves as a flashway,--conveying ignition from a percussion cap 0 to the body f of the time fuse. If the grenade is .to be thrown from a catapult or by other instrumentality, so that the duration of its flight will be relatively long, screw pin 13 will be turned to a position obstructing the canal 12 and preventing the passage of a flash through that canal. A flash from the primer'cap will however traverse the canal 9 and ignite the time fuse f at its remote end, and explosion will ultimately be accomplished by the burning through of the time fuse through all of its length. But if the grenade is to be hurled by hand, and if therefore the time of its flight be thus of necessity relatively short,

screw pin 13 'will be turned to uncover and open the canal 12, on the firing of the primer cap the flash will traverse the canal 12 and ignite the time fuse f at an intermediate point of its length, a shorter length of time fuse will be burned through, and accordingly the bursting of the grenade will be accomplished in a shorter time. It will of course be understood that the precise point in the length of the time fuse body f to which the canal 12 may be drilled through may be fixed as desired; the drawings show it to be arranged so that it reaches the body of time fuse at substantially the middle point of its length. If then it takes ten seconds for ignition to traverse the time fuse.

throughout its entire extent, a firing of the grenade with the canal 12 uncovered will result in the explosion in half the time, that The screw pin 13 to open and close canal 12, or it may be a pin with a hole through it which, turning through a quarter revolution, will alternately plate when in place incloses and holds sefiring pin '15.

curely 1n place the previously introduced block 2. In this cover plate 2 is mounted the This firing pin extends through and is movable longitudinally in a hole formed in the cover plate 3; a spring is arranged within the cover plate and between its inner wall and an enlargement 16 on the firing pin, and the resilience of this, spring is exerted tending to drive the pin inward and (when the whole isassembled and operated) to strike and fire a percussion cap a when in place in cap seat 4. The firing pin 15 is held normally against spring tension in elevated or cooked position by a guard member 17, pivoted in an outwardly opening slot 18 in the cover plate-'3 or in a boss thereof. Guard member 17 conveniently engages firing pin 15 by extending, when in guard position, beneath the enlargement 16, as shown. This guard member is (except under the conditions of firing presently to .be stated) secured against pivotal turning by a pin 19 which extends through it ata point properly remote from the pivotal point and alsd through an opening in the cover plate? or through a boss thereof. Further security may here be had by providing a second pin 20 to pass through the shank of the firing pin 15 at a point adjacent the outer surface of the cover plate when the firing pirf is retracted. These two pins 19 and 20 may convenientlybe formed as shown into a single locking member which it will be understood may readily be removed by hand when the time comes for using thegrenade.

The remote end 21 of the, guard member lies close against the side of easing 1.

The modification illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 has to do solely with the cover plate and x the parts which it carries, and may be briefly described. The firing pin in this case is a pivoted firing pin 15*" pivotedin the cover plate 3 on a pivot pin 24. An impelling spring in the form of a helical spring 25 surrounds this pivot pin 24 and bears at opposite ends upon the body of the cover plate 3 and upon the firing pin 15, tending to drive it from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 7 to the position shown in dot: ted lines. The guard 17 is, as in the pre ferred form, pivoted in an open notch 18*? and locked against pivoting by a pin 19*. One end of the guard 17? (when the parts are in'inoperative position) extends beneath the elevated firing pin 15" and holds it in lying elevated position against the tension of the spring 25; the other end 21 of the guard 17 extends as in the other case along the outer cylindrical surface of the grenade.

Cover plate 3 may manifestly be shaped with missile forming notches, in like manner as the casing 1.

In one aspect of the matter the grenade consists of two parts; the open ended casing 1 and the closure carrying the burstercharge firing mechanism. This closure is,

as a matter of convenience and to realize certain described advantages, made up of two parts: the block 2 .and the cover plate 3.

Normal operation will readilybe understood. When the projectile is to be used as a hand grenade (the short-time duct 12 will then ordinarily be open) the user grasps it about the body, his hand closed upon it 17) he then withdraws pins 19 and 20 (on 19). Still the guard remains in place and the firing pin is" not released. But, as soon as the user throws it and the grenade has left his hand, the guard 17 (17) no longer is secure to restrain the firing pin, but the firing pin responding to the tension of its impelling spring, descends or swings and fires the percussion cap'the guard 17 (17 over the end 21 of the guard 17 (or at the same time falling away. The firing of the percussion cap lights the time fuse f. This fuse burns as the grenade flies until, burning through to its end, ignition is im-X parted to a. detonator previously introduced in the detonator seat 5. Detonation follows,

acting first on the fulminate, next -on the booster, and finally upon the main burster charge. If the grenade be hurled from a catapult or other engine operation is precisely the made to effect what the hand of the user eifeetsin the description justgiVen-ins'urance against premature functioning of the firing pin.

same, suitable provision being (Ordinarily when the grenade is to be hurled bya machine the short-time canal 12 will be closed).

Certain features and advantages remain to be particularly pointed out. I have already spoken of my improved time fusev and of intervals may-be had. And here it remains only to say-that the particular positionof the canal with its controlling screw 13 may be such asdesired; and that the canal with the means employed by which different time its controlling member may be duplicated in as many canals and so placed asservice conditions suggest.

When the grenade is made up for ship.

ment the detonators themselves in their little capsules are not putin place in each grenade, but they are separately shipped; and their absence insures that under no circumstances can the flash of a prematurely fired primer cause detonation of the burster charge. Furthermore, each grenade, when shipped, although otherwise assembled complete, is preferably assembled with the block 2 introduced upside down, that is, in reverse position from that shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the side having the cap seat 4 being turned inward and the vside having the detonator open-ended capsule), replaces block 2 in in-- Verted and operative position, and replaces the cover plate. The grenade is then ready to be hurled or otherwise projected, as already described. The free end of the guard 17 (17) may, as a matter of convenience, be formed as a screw-driver, as shown, so that, when the cover plate 3 has been removed, it may afi'ord convenient means for turning screw-pin 13. This vprovision and its enjoyment in no Way interferes with the essential procedure described.

It will be observed that the firing mecha nism is external and open to observationa provision which is itself preventive of accident.

The body of the booster material I) molded into recess 6 of the block 2 may be provided with a recess 23 centrally arranged and opposite the cap seat 4; this recess will have no effect to alter the operation described, but may be serviceable when the block 2 is in place in its inverted inoperative position, to allow the free stroke of the spring-impelled firing pin, in case that member should be released from guard 17 (17 The firing pin 15 may be provided with a ring 22 by which the article may be .suspended and carried, as by a 'snaflle on a mans belt.

I do not limit myself precisely to the details shown, for manifestly they may be varied freely within the knowledge and skill of those who practise this art. I

- I claim as my invention:

1. In a time fuse the combination of a perzussion-cap seat, an elongate time-fuse chaniel, two fiashways. leading from said per- :ussi on-cap seat to said time-fuse channel Lt different points in the length of the later and a removable barrier in one of said lashways.

2. In a time fuse the combination of a ourc e of ignition, an elongate body of slow urn1ng material, ignition-imparting comnunication from said-source of ignition to aid elongate body at two polnts in its. angth, and means for interrupting at will such communication from said source of ignition to one sucli point.

- 3. In a projectile the combination of a casing having formed within itachamber for a burster charge open at one end and an invertible block applicable to the open end of said chamber, the said block equipped on one side with a primer seat and on the other side with a detonator seat and with ignitionimparting communication from said primer seat to said detonator seat.

4. In a projectile, the combination of a casing having formed within it a chamber for a burster charge open at one end, an invertible fuse block applicable to the open end of said chamber and provided on one side with a primer seat, and a cover plate removably secured to said casing and when secured holding the previously applied fuse block in place, said ,cover plate being provided with a firing pin.

5. In a projectile, the combination of a casing having formed within it a chamber for a burster charge open at one end, a .re-

movable and invertible fuse block appli-- cable to the open end of said chamber said fuse block being provided on one face with a primer seat and on the opposite face with a detonator seat and (extending between primer seat and detonator seat) with a fuse channel, and means for firing a primer cap when said fuse block is in operative position in the casing and a primer cap is in place in the primer seat thereof.

6. In a projectile the combination of a casing having formed within it an openended burster-charge chamber, a block provided with a seatfor a percussion cap constituting a removable closure for the otherwise open end of said chamber, and a cover plate removably secured to said casing and when secured holding the previously applied block in place, said cover plate being provided with a firing pin.

7. In a projectile the combination of a casing havlng formed within it a burster charge chamber, a seat for a percussion cap formed in the body of said projectile and: external with 'relation' to said burster-charge chamber, a cover plate applied externally to the bodyof said projectile and provided with a sprmg-impelled firing pin, and a guard borne by and removable from said cover plate and when in position holding said firing pin retracted.

8I'In a projectile the combination of a casing having formed within it an openended chamber, a removable and invertible block closing the ,otherwise open end of said chamber, and a cover plate removably appliedto said casing and (being applied after said removable block has been applied) holding said block in place; said block being provided on one side'with a detonator seat between said percussion-cap seat and said detonator seat; and said cover plate being provided with a spring-impelled firing pin and with a removable guard therefor.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ROYAL L. SCOVILLE.

Witnesses:

BAYARDH. OHRISTY, FRANCIS J. TOMASSON. 

